On March 17, 2023, the beautiful American actor and musician Lance Reddick died unexpectedly, a few months before he would’ve turned 61. The official cause of death, heart disease, was disputed by his family, casting another shadow over his magnificent life and career. Regardless, such was the impact of his relatively short time in our lives that three of our staff members wanted to honor his memory before the new year got underway.
It’s bizarre to think that Lance Reddick passed away back in March, because of the various projects he was in, ranging from TV shows to movies and a few video games. Whether he was a guest star on an episode of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, a police commander (Bosch, The Wire, or Fringe), or the hotel manager, Charon, from the John Wick movies, his strong presence was always felt. Reddick always carried this immense sense of strength with his low, deep voice, meaning he rarely had to yell in his roles, but when he did, fear came upon those in the line of fire and the audience. Reddick was a man who was always working, and still has some projects to be released, and once those are out in the world, his presence will be missed all the more. – Alexander Manzo
When word broke of Lance Reddick’s death, both our editor Brian and I were shocked, albeit for what I imagine were very different reasons. Brian grew up seeing Reddick on prestigious TV shows like LOST, whereas I knew him best for roles in genre and animated projects like the John Wick films, and the Horizon games. It was a testament to the mesmerizing hold he had across his prolific body of work, gaining a vast number of fans from diverse audiences before his untimely passing last year.
It sounds corny, given he voiced the Romanesque General Lunaris on DuckTales, and played Zeus on the Percy Jackson series, but Reddick’s striking appearance, and sonorous voice, made him feel like a god; it was as if he were a statue of a deity from the ancient world come to life, imbued with a regal presence that instantly commanded attention and respect. When he spoke, it was clear he was the most important person in the room; his name alone was cooler than most people’s.
Which isn’t to say Reddick was always the most serious man in the world: as my colleague Ryan shows below, he was quite happy to subvert the gravitas he brought, or play against type, whether it was during guest appearances on comedy shows, or by voicing a bruiser like Hellboy in the video game Hellboy: Web of Wyrd. He could be incredibly playful: check out this social media post of him mocking Elon Musk, and tell me he wouldn’t have been a great Joker or Green Goblin.
For me, Reddick will always be first and foremost Sylens from Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West. An enigmatic ally, Sylens was the smartest man in Guerrilla Games’ post-apocalyptic world, but rarely the most sensitive, and you never knew what the character would do next. He could be infuriating, yet Reddick’s charisma always ensured he would feel like family. I don’t know what Guerrilla will do with Sylens in the next game; they could recast, and even retain Reddick’s likeness, although in that case I would prefer it if they killed him off. Regardless, I know one thing will be true: Reddick’s absence will be sorely felt. – Christopher Chiu-Tabet
Over a 25 year career in films, television, and video games, Lance Reddick was most famous for playing a steely cop, a reliable concierge, and a steadfast commander. Reddick was a man of imposing presence, playing both heroes and villains, often with a sense of authority and power. His voice was instantly recognizable across many mediums — melodious and charming. Reddick’s commanding presence added a sense of gravitas to many projects.
A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, Reddick got his start in the late ’90s. He had bit parts laying cops and soldiers on The West Wing, Oz, and The Siege, before landing his first major main role as Baltimore cop Cedric Daniels on The Wire. Daniels would form the template quintessential Reddick character, a smart authority figure, composed and in charge. This is the kind of man Reddick would play for years to come. The Wire never received any major awards or viewership, but the show would go on to be recognized by critics as one of the best of all time.
Continued belowAfter The Wire ended, Reddick landed a major role on another cop show, this one with a genre edge, stepping into the role of Phillip Broyles on Fringe. Broyles was another firm leader, the head of the FBI’s Fringe Division, taciturn and commanding. It was on Fringe that Reddick earned two Saturn Award nominations for his acting, among the only notices he would receive over his whole career.
Continuing with his genre association, Reddick got to play against type as Papa Legba on American Horror Story: Coven. In the few episodes he appeared in, Reddick was able to make it clear he had range, and could move beyond his template for cops and soldiers. His reassuring voice turned sinister flowing with chaotic energy, and his eyes conveyed a wickedness not seen before. It was a brief run on the show, but incredibly memorable.
Even as Reddick played cops and captains, he tried to resist his public image as a straight-edged lawman. He took many appearances in the mid-2010s on sketch comedy shows, and was able to prove his comedic mettle on the likes of Comedy Bang! Bang!, Key and Peele, The Eric Andre Show, and Tim and Eric’s Bedtime Stories. He spoofed his authoritative personality to great success in a memorable Funny or Die sketch, playing an imperious toy store manager lording it over his employees.
It was in 2014 though, that Reddick debuted in two roles which would have some of his most lasting impact in pop culture. As the concierge, Charon, in John Wick, Reddick was reassuring and affable, an unflappable stalwart ally to Keanu Reeves’s assassin. Viewers loved his deadpan charm, and genial calm in the face of danger. As Commander Zavala in the video game Destiny, Reddick was a firm guide, offering direction and issuing orders with confidence. Players bonded with him as an anchor in an alien world. Reddick would go on to play both roles until his death, appearing in both Destiny and John Wick sequels last year. It’s hard to imagine either franchise without him.
In the final few years of his career, Reddick continued to played cops on shows such as Bosch, but also kept branching out, with roles like Albert Wesker in the Resident Evil TV show, and his final video game role as Hellboy in Hellboy: Web of Wyrd. In 2021 he received the highest recognition of his career, a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award, as part of the ensemble of One Night in Miami.
It’s easy to say that Lance Reddick was a major talent in both voice and screen roles. From his early bit role on The West Wing to his featured turns on various TV shows, Reddick brought gravitas and grace to every role. He was always a man to be reckoned with, tough but urbane. Whether you knew him as a cop, Charon or the commander, you’ll miss Lance Reddick’s presence — because I know I certainly will. – Ryan Fitzmartin
